LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — President Joe Biden said Monday that he will travel to Kentucky on Wednesday to view damage from last week's devastating tornadoes that killed at least 64 people and displaced thousands more.
Biden announced the upcoming trip following a briefing with homeland security and disaster response officials in the Oval Office to discuss what more the federal government can do to support those affected by the natural disaster. The White House said he would visit Ft. Campbell, Kentucky for a briefing on the response operations, and then to hard-hit Mayfield and Dawson Springs to survey the damage.
Biden said he was developing the itinerary in consultation with local officials to ensure that his presence doesn't distract from the ongoing emergency response.
Biden, who has already signed emergency declarations for Kentucky, said he stands ready to do the same for Illinois. He added that he has ordered his administration to make every resource available to local and state officials in Kentucky and the other states impacted by the storms.
Army Guardsmen with the 301st Chemical Battalion and Air Guardsmen with the 123rd Airlift Wing continue search and rescue missions in Mayfield, Ky. on December 12th, 2021. "I feel like extraction training has prepared me really well for a real world scenario like this," said Pvt. Tyler Price, 301st Chem. Co. "We have shown that we have a really good response time with people coming together from all over the state and they have all been able to get here quickly."
- Spc. Brett Hornback
Army Guardsmen with the 301st Chemical Battalion and Air Guardsmen with the 123rd Airlift Wing continue search and rescue missions in Mayfield, Ky. on December 12th, 2021. "I feel like extraction training has prepared me really well for a real world scenario like this," said Pvt. Tyler Price, 301st Chem. Co. "We have shown that we have a really good response time with people coming together from all over the state and they have all been able to get here quickly."
- Spc. Brett Hornback
Army Guardsmen with the 301st Chemical Battalion and Air Guardsmen with the 123rd Airlift Wing continue search and rescue missions in Mayfield, Ky. on December 12th, 2021. "I feel like extraction training has prepared me really well for a real world scenario like this," said Pvt. Tyler Price, 301st Chem. Co. "We have shown that we have a really good response time with people coming together from all over the state and they have all been able to get here quickly."
- Spc. Brett Hornback
Army Guardsmen with the 301st Chemical Battalion and Air Guardsmen with the 123rd Airlift Wing continue search and rescue missions in Mayfield, Ky. on December 12th, 2021. "I feel like extraction training has prepared me really well for a real world scenario like this," said Pvt. Tyler Price, 301st Chem. Co. "We have shown that we have a really good response time with people coming together from all over the state and they have all been able to get here quickly."
- Spc. Brett Hornback
IMAGES | Tornadoes devastate dozens of cities in western Kentucky
Tornado damage in Bowling Green, Kentucky's Whispering Hills neighborhood. Dec. 13, 2021
Tornado damage in Bowling Green, Kentucky near the bypass. Dec. 13, 2021
Tornado damage in Bowling Green, Kentucky near the bypass. Dec. 13, 2021
Tornado damage in Bowling Green, Kentucky's Whispering Hills neighborhood. Dec. 13, 2021
Tornado damage in Bowling Green, Kentucky's Whispering Hills neighborhood. Dec. 13, 2021
Tornado damage in Bowling Green, Kentucky's Whispering Hills neighborhood. Dec. 13, 2021
Army Guardsmen with the 301st Chemical Battalion and Air Guardsmen with the 123rd Airlift Wing continue search and rescue missions in Mayfield, Ky. on December 12th, 2021. "I feel like extraction training has prepared me really well for a real world scenario like this," said Pvt. Tyler Price, 301st Chem. Co. "We have shown that we have a really good response time with people coming together from all over the state and they have all been able to get here quickly."
- Spc. Brett Hornback
Army Guardsmen with the 301st Chemical Battalion and Air Guardsmen with the 123rd Airlift Wing continue search and rescue missions in Mayfield, Ky. on December 12th, 2021. "I feel like extraction training has prepared me really well for a real world scenario like this," said Pvt. Tyler Price, 301st Chem. Co. "We have shown that we have a really good response time with people coming together from all over the state and they have all been able to get here quickly."
- Spc. Brett Hornback
Army Guardsmen with the 301st Chemical Battalion and Air Guardsmen with the 123rd Airlift Wing continue search and rescue missions in Mayfield, Ky. on December 12th, 2021. "I feel like extraction training has prepared me really well for a real world scenario like this," said Pvt. Tyler Price, 301st Chem. Co. "We have shown that we have a really good response time with people coming together from all over the state and they have all been able to get here quickly."
- Spc. Brett Hornback
Army Guardsmen with the 301st Chemical Battalion and Air Guardsmen with the 123rd Airlift Wing continue search and rescue missions in Mayfield, Ky. on December 12th, 2021. "I feel like extraction training has prepared me really well for a real world scenario like this," said Pvt. Tyler Price, 301st Chem. Co. "We have shown that we have a really good response time with people coming together from all over the state and they have all been able to get here quickly."
- Spc. Brett Hornback
Kentucky state flag rescued from the ruble of the courthouse in Mayfield, Ky.
- Spc. Brett Hornback
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
A refrigerator wedged in a tree in Dawson Springs, Ky. on Dec. 12.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Aftermath of damage caused by tornadoes in Dawson Springs, KY.
Search are rescue crews work at the Mayfield Consumer Products candle factory early Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021 in Mayfield, Ky. (Ryan C. Hermens/Lexington Herald-Leader via AP)
Tornado damage in Mayfield, Ky. on Dec. 14.
Tornado damage in Mayfield, Ky. on Dec. 14.
Tornado damage at Mayfield, Ky. courthouse on Dec. 14.
Tornado damage at Mayfield, Ky. courthouse on Dec. 14.
Tornado damage in Mayfield, Ky. on Dec. 14.
Tornado damage in Mayfield, Ky. on Dec. 14.
Scott Reynolds live in Mayfield, Ky. on Dec. 14.
The president said his message to governors was that the federal government would help them get “Whatever they need, when they need it.”
“We’re going to get this done,” Biden added. “We’re going to be there as long as it takes to help.”
Biden said he was worried, beyond the lives lost, about the emotional toll the disaster is putting on all those impacted.
“I worry quite frankly about the mental health of these people,” he said. He said his administration was working to help people with “peace of mind” so that that can “actually put their head on a pillow, lie down and be able to know their kids are going to be okay.”
Federal assistance is available to people in Caldwell, Fulton, Graves, Hopkins, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Taylor and Warren counties.
FEMA is now accepting applications for assistance. Visit http://disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 for more information.
Click here for a list of organizations accepting donations and supplies for storm victims.
Related Stories:
- Kentucky governor: at least 64 confirmed dead after powerful weekend tornadoes
- DEVASTATION: Images reveal severe storm damage in Mayfield, Kentucky
- 13 dead, more than 100 unaccounted for after tornado rips through Dawson Springs, Ky.
Inmate who walked away after tornado destroyed Kentucky candle factory back in custody
- DEVASTATION: Images reveal severe storm damage in Mayfield, Kentucky
- 'The Lord took care of us' | Taylor County man says he's thankful to be alive after night of tornadoes
Copyright 2021 WDRB Media. The Associated Press contributed to this story. All Rights Reserved.
